136 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



Mar. 1 



combs for a winter nest, should not be re- 

 garded as evidence that a winter nest is 

 necessary or even desirable. 



An important point that has been entire- 

 ly overlooked in this discussion is that, if 

 room is provided for the bees to cluster un- 

 der the combs, they will invariably cluster 

 there at the beginning of winter, irrespec- 

 tive of whether or not they have an empty 

 brood-nest above — proving quite conclusive- 

 ly that they choose such a condition in pref- 

 erence to empty combs in a winter nest. 



Our feeder consists of a pan eight inches 

 wide by the inside length of the hive, and 

 two inches deep — said pan occupying a cen- 

 tral position from front to back inside of a 

 rim three inches deep, and affords protec- 

 tion against chilling blasts from the hive- 

 entrance. We have found that, whenever a 

 feeder is left under a hive until the approach 

 of winter, the bees will invariably be found 

 snugly clustered down below the combs and 

 into the feeder pan; and frequently, when 

 tipping a hive up and glancing underneath, 

 we have caught a glimpse of the queen. 

 This set us to thinking as well as to experi- 

 menting, with the result that we now con- 

 sider that, for wintering outdoors in a cold 

 climate like that of Iowa, Minnesota, or 

 Canada, solid combs of sealed stores early in 

 the season, with a clustering-space under 

 the combs, protected as above described, is 

 a safe proposition. For this reason our feed- 

 ers are left under hives that are wintered 

 outdoors. 



Birmingham, O., Feb. 4. 



[In all the discussion that has followed in 

 these columns, and in the American Bee 

 Journal also, we have seen nothing thus 

 far that does not argue in favor of one solid 

 ball of bees not broken up by combs of seal- 

 ed stores. We care not where the cluster- 

 ing-space may be, whether it be in empty 

 cells below sealed honey, or whether it be 

 below the brood-frames in the space between 

 the bottom-bars and the bottom-board, for 

 the bees seem to show a desire to get togeth- 

 er where they can make up a cluster as near 

 a solid mass as possible. 



On the other hand, we are quite prepared 

 to admit that, in a very cold climate, or a 

 climate subject to severe prolonged cold, 

 empty space or empty cells, occupying as 

 much as the lower half or lower third of the 

 central combs may be a positive detriment 

 rather than an advantage. The reason for 

 this is very clearly pointed out by Mr. 

 McEvoy in his letter to Mr. Dadant; but 

 apparently Mr. McEvoy and all the others 

 who argue for solid combs give solid combs 

 of stores early in the fall. By the time real 

 cold midwinter comes on, those bees will 

 have empty cells in which they may cluster 

 below the honey. 



Again, it may be an advantage to have a 

 larger clustering-space under the brood- 

 frames than has ordinarily been allowed for 

 outdoor-wintered colonies. Mr. Hand makes 

 quite a good point in favor of his underhive 

 feeders; but this all argues for a clustering- 



space not broken up by solid combs. That 

 is what we have contended for, first, last, 

 and all the time. We naturally would 

 think, then, that our Canadian friends, 

 with their longer and colder climate, would 

 need more space under the frames than is 

 usually provided by an ordinary bottom- 

 board. 



As Mr. Dadant points out, this is some- 

 what a question of locality. In Canada and 

 these other colder climates, less of a cluster- 

 ing-space than we have shown in Glean- 

 ings would be desirable. The milder the 

 climate, the larger this clustering-space may 

 be without detriment. 



Now, then, if there is a single one of our 

 friends who believes that it is an ideal con- 

 dition to have a cluster of bees broken up 

 by solid combs of honey above bottom-bars, 

 and away from the bottom-board, we wish 

 he would show his hand. This general dis- 

 cussion shows that, so far from disagreeing, 

 we are really in accord when we properly 

 understand each other and our localities. — 

 Ed.] 



HOW I SELL MY HONEY AT A GOOD PRICE. 



BY J. A. M'GOWAN. 



First, I have all sections nice and clean, 

 and I take care that they weigh from 13 to 

 14 ounces. That means a plain section 

 must be full on both sides. 



Second, I make it a rule to advertise my 

 honey by giving away two sections to any 

 one who I think might become a buyer. 

 To illustrate, a friend of mine from Pitts- 

 burgh was out attending a reunion of his 

 family in our town, and I told him to stop 

 and see me as he went by, as I had a pres- 

 ent for him. I gave him two sections of 

 buckwheat honey, and in less than ten 

 days I had an order from him for all my 

 honey at 20 cts. a section. This was one 

 year ago. This Sfall he v.^ote me again, 

 wanting all I had at the same price. 



Third, I make sure that the cappings look 

 white; and in order to have it that way 

 I remove all sections as fast as capped over, 

 and replace with new ones containing foun- 

 dation. By doing this I need only two su- 

 pers at the very most, and the bees are nev- 

 er scattered through from three to six su- 

 pers. Unfinished sections are also largely 

 prevented. 



Fourth, as soon as I have honey complet- 

 ed I hunt for a buyer, as it never looks bet- 

 ter than theday it is taken from the super, 

 and looks go a great way in disposing of a 

 crop. And I am careful to have my honey 

 just what I say it is. 



Fifth, in order to have the very best-look- 

 ing honey and the best tasting as well, I 

 have colonies so strong that, when the flow 

 comes (and it always does) I am prepared 

 to get my share of it. One or two days' neg- 

 lect of little details may lose a season's 

 crop. 



Prospect, Pa. 



